Brief Introduction to REWU
We are working for the Wellbeing of the Workers, their families and Society
The Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU) is a prominent labor union that has been organizing workers in Rwanda’s mining and quarry sectors since 2014. REWU works to protect the rights and well-being of the estimated 120,000 workers employed in these industries. It plays a key role in advocating for fair labor practices, improving working conditions, and ensuring the social and economic welfare of its members.
REWU is affiliated with national organizations like CESTRAR (Central de Syndicats des Travailleurs au Rwanda) and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), as well as international bodies such as IndustriALL Global Union and Building Wood Workers International (BWI). REWU also partners with various government agencies, civil society organizations, and international entities like UNICEF and World Vision to address labor rights, child labor, gender equality, and workers’ welfare in the mining and quarry sectors.
The union’s advocacy efforts focus on improving labor conditions, ensuring safety, promoting gender equality, and eliminating child labor. It works to create a sustainable, just working environment that benefits both workers and their families.
REWU is a key partner of Ministry of public services and labor (MIFOTRA), Rwanda mines, petroleum and gas board (RMB), Provinces and Districts in local government; Rwanda Mining Association (RMA) and Rwanda Quarry Association (RQA) as employer’s professional organizations in mining sector as well as national commission of human rights (NCHR).
Objectives
- Unity and Solidarity: Bring together workers in the extractive industry to better defend their socio-professional interests.
- Advocacy: Represent and defend workers’ interests at the workplace, with employers, public administration, and the judiciary.
- Child Labor: Combat the worst forms of child labor in the sector.
- Social Legislation: Ensure the enforcement of social laws and the respect of collective agreements.
- Democracy and Social Justice: Promote democratic principles and social justice within the mining industry.
- Socio-Economic Improvement: Develop actions that enhance the welfare of extractive industry workers.
- Workplace Participation: Encourage workers’ participation in business management to improve professional awareness and productivity.
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Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union is partnering with World Vision Rwanda since 2019 in the Implementation of the program called ITER (It takes every Rwandan to end child exploitation) which deals with campaigning for child rights protection and fight against any form of child abuse like child labor and child sexual abuse. This partnership is implemented in seven Districts, which are Karongi, Ngororero, Karongi, Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Huye and Gisagara and TFE activities in Nyagatare District.
REWU is also collaborating with UNICEF in the project for setting up Early Childhood Development (ECDs) in mines and quarries with the purpose of encouraging women inclusion in mining sector, as they are often being vulnerable and lack of childcare facilities at working place. This partnership with UNICEF started in 2020 and is being implemented in two pilot sites (New Bugarama Mining (NBM) and Wolfram Mining Processing (WMP)Gifurwe then identified other 15 companies located at Rulindo, Gakenke, Rwamagana, Muhanga, Nyarugenge, Rutsiro , Rubavu and Kayonza Districts.
REWU is in partnership with UNWOMEN in the project for promoting equal rights for all (Women and Men) in MUHANGA and GAKENKE mines. From which REWU has done an assessment to help with a baseline information and data on sexual harassment and gender-based violence in mining companies that will serve as an evidence based planning, advocacy and decision making towards women and girls rights and access to employment especially in the mining sector in Rwanda.
REWU was published in Rwanda Official Gazette No. 49 Bis of 08/12/2014.
On one hand, REWU acts as a channel through which workers or union members pass their ideas, problems and aspirations related to work in order to improve their well-being and on another hand, it has a duty of working with members, community and leaders at all levels to combat any form of child abuse and domestic violence.
10+
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Achievements
REWU’s achievements in the last five years are a clear sign and hope for the future of human labour rights and socio-economic conditions of workers in the mining sector.
The following are such achievements,
- Establishment of legal assistance service: This has been providing legal services through assisting and providing advisory to its members and representing members in disputes with their employers. These services have benefited around 3,784 mining workers countrywide.
- Capacity building programs: REWU has been conducting trainings for trade union leaders and other members. The trainings have been focused on labour rights, gender equality, mining laws, childcare, occupational safety and health principles, etc. It is important to note that 2,450 union members have gained such trainings.
- Training on Collective bargaining for union member’s rights: one of the CBA conducted by REWU was collective bargaining agreement with Euro Trade International Ltd where more than 1200 employees benefited increment of salary.
- Advocacy on workers’ rights: In addition to the above, there has been advocacy targeting the involvement of women and youth in management structures and activities of mine companies to better address workers’ rights. Some of dismissed employees were reintegrated into back into their respective work because of cases won into the Courts.
- Awareness creation on child protection: There has been raising awareness for child protection against sexual abuse and child labour within seven (7) districts where REWU operates. This has resulted in fighting child abuses at work places. Two pilots ECDs have been established and are now operational in mining industry.
- REWU has conducted an assessment for recognition of prior learning of 2700 miners in collaboration with Government through Rwanda TVET Board under a MoU signed by both parties.
- REWU conducted a rapid assessment on community child labor and access to child rights information in four districts (Muhanga, Rwamagana, Gicumbi and Gakenke, The most targeted sectors by child labor are: Industry (36%), Domestic services (32.5%) and Agriculture (31.5%).
REWU’s efforts are a critical part of improving labor conditions in Rwanda’s extractive industries, aiming to create a safer, more just, and productive environment for workers.
